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Re: 130i available from September in Germany ...

BMW Great Britain is pleased to announce the introduction of the BMW 130i – a car powered by the world’s lightest six-cylinder petrol engine. First seen on the BMW 630i and the BMW 330i, the new car boasts 258bhp and 300Nm of torque to deliver class leading performance figures.

The aluminum and magnesium alloy 3.0-liter straight-six gasoline engine powers the BMW 130i from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. These figures better rivals such as the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Audi A3 3.2 V6 Sport Quattro Sportback and the Mercedes C320 SE Sports Coupé. Such high levels of performance aligned with the near perfect 50:50 weight distribution have also resulted in the BMW 130i lapping the challenging Northern Loop of the Nürburgring in an impressive 8 minutes 35 seconds. All this and the car still posts a respectable fuel consumption figure on the combined cycle of 31.4mpg (imp)...

The all-new Benz C350 Sportscoupe has 268 hp ...

Seeing the 130i is only a tenth quicker than the

E90 330i offers virtually identical performance and more importantly,more interior and trunk space and all-important refinement.
So why would anyone choose the cramped 1er which is an older design? Besides,a 2-dr 3er will probalby be on sale earlier than 2-dr 1er!

bet you it will be almost 1/2 price of 330i, and

The New BMW 130i

Text & photos courtesy BMW AG
edited 02-09-2005

World’s lightest six-cylinder petrol engine powers the One
BMW Great Britain is pleased to announce the introduction of the BMW 130i – a car powered by the world’s lightest six-cylinder petrol engine. First seen on the BMW 630i and the BMW 330i, the new car boasts 258bhp and 300Nm of torque to deliver class leading performance figures.

The aluminium and magnesium alloy 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine powers the BMW 130i from zero to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. These figures better rivals such as the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, Audi A3 3.2 V6 Sport Quattro Sportback and the Mercedes C320 SE Sports Coupé. Such high levels of performance aligned with the near perfect 50:50 weight distribution have also resulted in the BMW 130i lapping the challenging Northern Loop of the Nürburgring in an impressive 8 minutes 35 seconds. All this and the car still posts a respectable fuel consumption figure on the combined cycle of 31.4mpg.

Jim O’Donnell, Managing Director of BMW (GB) Ltd, said: "The 1 Series has proved a real hit in a market where a rear-wheel-drive car is unique and the arrival of the 130i promises to shake things up further. Some have already referred to the model as a baby ‘M’ car – something that is not surprising given it can lap the Nürburgring in a time that wouldn’t disgrace an M3."

The commendable figures are due in part to the VANOS and VALVETRONIC valve opening and valve lift control mechanisms that ensure optimum combustion and engine breathing at all times. An electrically driven water pump also cuts down on internal engine friction and improves efficiency. Power is transmitted to the road via a standard six-speed manual gearbox feeding power to the rear wheels.

Several key styling features mark the BMW 130i out from the four-cylinder-powered models already on sale. The new car receives chrome kidney grille slats, features 17-inch alloy wheels and displays large twin chrome exhaust pipes at the rear. These are more than a styling enhancement though, as the last section of the exhaust system also plays an important role in the performance of the car thanks to a valve in the rear section opening and closing depending on throttle input. At rest and slower speeds the valve is closed for better emissions, while at higher speeds it is opened fully for improved engine breathing and a more satisfying aural note.

Standard interior trim for the 130i includes Sports seats, leather steering wheel, BMW Business radio with single CD player and six airbags. Customers will also be able to specify BMW’s innovative and award-winning Active Steering system that ensures the optimum steering ratio at any speed.

An unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March heralds the first public appearance of the 130i before it goes on sale in

Actually,e90 3er costs just 10% more than 1er with

The price and performance difference between 1er and 3er is much smaller than their diff in space efficiency and refinement.
I don't know when the v8 M3/M4 will be on sale,but the Series 2 M1 comes in '08 the earliest! And even then it may not be available as folding-top-convertible or saloon.

Nice E30!!!

2-door 1er not available until mid-2007 :(

I'm very surprised the 1er and 3er are priced so close! Even the weight and performance are virtually identical!
So when 2er comes in '07 and if it is supposed to cost more than 1er,perhaps it ends up costing even more than 3er??

Doubt it, it will still be below the 3

Nurburgring Comparisons

The lap time for the 130i is very "decent". Two of BMW's finest at the 'Ring:
M6-V10 8:00
M3 CSL 8:00
Skyline GTR: 7:52 was the old record for a production car, and the
Carrera GT (612HP) 7:32 is the fastest car on Nurburgring as of now.

One correction...

"The lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife had been in the hands of the Porsche Carrera GT since September. But now that time has been broken again. The new number one is called... Donkervoort.

The Porsche Carrera GT was beaten by no less than 15 seconds by the Donkervoort 270 RS. The record breaking car is derived from the D8 270, which will become available next spring. The Donkervoort was prepared fully in accordance with the rules of German magazine ´Sport Auto´ that has been organising the record attempts since 1995.
In September the chief editor of ´Sport Auto´ sat behind the wheel of a 612 hp strong Carrera GT and achieved 7,32.44 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. German Donkervoort dealer Michael Dütching managed it in 7,18.01 minuten. So now Donkervoort is holder of the ´Sport Auto´ Trophy.
According to proprietor Joop Donkervoort the feat is mainly thanks to the special configuration of the suspension and the enormously stiff chassis of the 270 RS. 'The strength of Donkervoort is the fact that owners can take their cars straight from the public road onto the circuit'."